There is more to running than just running!

As Ultrarunners, we log a shit ton of miles. Our high tech watches churning out countless data points and uploading them all to Strava, further cementing our legacy as legends in our own minds.

But to be successful in running -- however you personally define success -- you have to do more than just log those speed workouts and long weekend runs on the trails.

Strength training, resistance training, and most importantly, cross training will not only make you a better ultra runner, but will also help you prevent injury and even burn off those added calories from too many quesadillas at aid stations during running. Or for some ultra runners, to help burn off the post-run beer calories that so many of us partake in.

In ultra running there is no one size fits all approach to these workouts, as they need to be as specific to your strengths and weakness as possible. They also need to account for the type of race you are training for in your current training cycle.

My next race is the Rocky Raccoon 100k, which doesn't have a ton of vert to train for, but has longer periods of running, and sand, sand, and more sand that can beat up your feet and wreak havoc on your hips. My approach is to stick to the basics when it comes to powering my body through any condition in terms of upper body and core strength, and then focusing in on more specific flexibility and mobility exercises to customize my training plan.

With Covid wrecking havoc on our lives and closing gyms the past couple of years, it's highlighted the importance of making due with what you have for most of us, and getting in home workouts during your training cycle with whatever equipment you may have on hand. You don't need a fancy gym or stair machine to do step-ups, or basic squats. Resistance bands are easy to buy and implement and can be found at most sports stores. A basic set of dumbbells that reflect your current strength levels are relatively cheap and easy to get as well. You can get a tractor tire pretty cheaply as well and do step ups, box jumps (tire jumps?), and even beat the shit out of it with a sledgehammer. There are endless possibilities.

One of my favorite go-to functional strength workouts is to jump on the trails with a weight vest and pound out some high intensity miles, or even take it for a spin for some hill repeats. Weight vests can be pretty damn expensive, so I suggest buying a military plate carrier which you can get here for about $60. You can then save a ton more money buy putting 10 pound weight plates on both sides and save lots of cash in the process. Here is a video on how to make your own weight vest on a budget (less than $100):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVD3XZYLQ4U

Whatever you do, be creative and think of people that have literally no access to gyms but that still make it happen. Cave men didn't have them, and people in prison get jacked by doing curls with garbage bags full of whatever they can find, and by doing dips on their racks, along with pushups on the floor. The options are endless.

So get your ass off the couch and put the funyuns down, it's time to get a non-running workout in!